The Rajya Sabha, on December 13, 2023, has given its approval to the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023, paving the way for the establishment of the Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Mulugu, Telangana. The Lok Sabha had previously passed the bill on December 7, 2023.
Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, expressed gratitude to all Members of Parliament for making this bill a reality.
Key Highlights of the Bill:
- Commitment to Higher Education:
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- The passage of the bill reflects the collective commitment to improve access and quality of higher education in the country.
- Regional Aspirations:
- The new university will cater to regional aspirations and contribute to the enhancement of quality and research in tribal communities. It will focus on subjects such as tribal art, culture, customs, and traditional knowledge systems.
- Balvatika Initiative:
- Minister informed about the Balvatika initiative, including activities like Jaadui Pitara, designed for 3-5 year-olds to enhance teaching-learning methods.
- International Acceptance of NEP:
- The minister highlighted the international acceptance of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, citing examples such as Iran’s Persian translation of NEP for implementation and Mauritius seeking cooperation in developing an institution similar to NCERT.
- University Details:
- The Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University will be established at a cost of Rs. 889.07 crore. It will offer graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral level courses across five schools and 11 departments.
- Employment Opportunities:
- The university is expected to create direct employment opportunities through faculty and non-faculty positions. It will also generate indirect employment opportunities through outsourcing and contractual basis, contributing to the overall development of the surrounding areas.
- Name and Significance:
- The University is named ‘Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University’ in honor of the mother and daughter duo, Sammakka and Saralamma (commonly known as Sarakka), believed to be manifestations of Adi Parashakti sent to protect the tribal communities of Telangana.
The establishment of the Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University is a significant step towards empowering tribal communities and advancing higher education in the region.
